The most vulnerable citizens of South Africa can now get an additional increment of R90 on the Disability Grant by SASSA. A resident of South Africa who is unable to work due to severe disability can apply for this support.
The applicants need to submit a medical report that is verified by a registered medical practitioner. The disabilities can be physical and mental. The newly approved payment for this grant is now R2180.
All of these financial grants by South Africa’s Social Welfare promote a sense of equity to relieve financial stress. It is credible to present the required documents if you are applying for this assistance.
This blog has all the relevant information concerning the eligibility criteria and application process for Disability Grants. The recipients can now maintain a good quality of life despite the economic challenges.
What is the SASSA Disability Grant All About?
Disability Grant by SASSA is a financial support that covers the basic financial needs of an individual. The beneficiary can be mentally or physically disabled. These people are unable to work and do not have enough resources to manage their living expenses.
Types of Disability Grants
Temporary Disability Grant
This type of disability can last for at least six months but should be no more than 12 months. In case the conditions persist then a person can reapply and continue this grant for a further duration.
Permanent Disability Grant
This type of disability shall last for more than a year. It doesn’t mean that you can get a lifelong payout. But this payment is for a longer period of time.
What Are the Social Grant Increments for 2024?
All of the grants by SASSA are coming with increments from the month of April. There are more increments coming in October as well.
The grant is increased by R90 from April and it is now R2180 per month for every disabled person who is eligible.
A further increment is expected in October which is R10. So the new grant price can reach up to R2190 by October of this year.
Eligibility Criteria for the SASSA Disability Grant
The SASSA has designed eligibility criteria for all types of grants. For this aid, there are conditions such as a person not being able to work anymore. You can get a medical assessment and other necessary documents for a disabled person.
Residency and Citizenship
The residents from South Africa can apply for this type of grant lawfully. It is also available for the refugees who are legally living in South Africa.
Age Requirement
The age of the person should be between 18 to 59 years old. This help is from the adult people who can not get employment because of disability.
Medical Assessment
The medical report is very necessary to confirm the permanent or severe disability. This assessment criteria is set to ensure that the benefits are provided to the desired people.
Financial Means Test
A mean test is also very important and helps to assess the income and assets. For a single individual, the assets must not exceed up to R1,227,600. For a married couple, the total combined assets range is R2,455,200.
Non-receipt of Other Social Grants
This criterion is set to make sure that you are not getting the additional benefits from SASSA.
Non-residence in State Institutions
The in-state institutions serve a similar purpose to helping and taking care of disabled persons. In case a person is already in the custody of a state institution then he will not be eligible.
Application Process for the SASSA Disability Grant
This one is the most crucial part of the discussion because most people want to know the basics of applying for a disability grant. We will today discuss the detailed process of submitting a proper application to the SASSA.
Preparation and Eligibility Check
The individuals need to confirm their eligibility and prepare all the essential documents. Anyone must have a severe disability that prevents him from working. It also includes the mean test and provides all the financial evidence.
Medical Assessment
You must obtain a medical assessment report from a registered medical professional or institute. This report should be fresh and not older than three months. It will also confirm the severity of disability and help you get the desired benefits.
Gathering Necessary Documentation
The most important documents that you require are a South African ID card and in the case of a refugee, you need a permit. Medical reports and marital status are required in different cases.
Submitting the Application
The individuals can choose different methods to apply for this grant. The first one is visiting the official website of SASSA and filling out the application online. Then upload all the necessary documents in the picture format and submit the application.
You can also try the in-person method which is to access the nearest SASSA office. You can gather all the necessary documents and take them to the office. They will give you a form that you can fill up. You can also download this from the official website and submit it by hand.
Application Review and Interview
The official team will conduct an interview with the disabled person after the submission of the application. They can further review the details that you have submitted and verify all the documents. This process can take time and you can call them for updates.
Notification
The SASSA will take a decision after confirmation of eligibility criteria and further details. They will contact you through the official phone number or email that you have provided on the application.
Grant Payment
The disability grant payments are made on a monthly basis. The payments will start from the date of approval and you can receive them through the ATMS and paypoints. The payment date falls in the first week of every month.
Re-assessment
Depending upon the condition of the disability a beneficiary can undergo different re-assessment. This will confirm the medical condition and allow the extension of the grants. If the condition of the patient gets better then the office can also stop the grant.
Appeals Process
In case your application is not accepted by the committee then you have the option to make an appeal. On the rejection notification, there are details mentioned related to appeal and denial. You can make an appeal within 90 days of receiving notification.
What are the essential Documents For Disability grants by SASSA?
While applying for any type of SASSA grant the individuals need to submit important documents. These documents can vary as per the different criteria of grants. You can provide accurate information to get the approval on time.
- Identification Documents: The 13-digit valid South African ID card or a smart card. The passports and a valid refugee permit can also be provided.
- Medical Assessment Report: A certified report from medical practitioners that clarifies the nature and extent of the disability. It should be mentioned how this disability can impact your working abilities.
- Proof of Income: If employed then you need to submit recent payment slips. The pension slips or any other investments that you have made. An affidavit that affirms the income level and current financial condition.
- Proof of Residence: The residence proof can include the water, electricity, or any other utility bill. The affidavit or any other stamp paper that confirms your permanent address and residency.
- Bank Details: The bank details are essential to qualify for the mean test. The last three-month statement from your bank is necessary.
- Marital Status Documents: The marriage or divorce certificate. In the case of a widow, you can submit a death certificate of a spouse.
Additional supportive documents are necessary if you are applying on behalf of a disabled person or a minor. The applicants should also mention any other types of grants that they are receiving from the state.
What is the Mean Test For the SASSA Disability Grant?
The mean test is necessary for the disability and any other types of financial grant by the SASSA. It helps people to determine the assets and income of a person. This also makes sure that grants are given to the right people.
Income Thresholds
The applicants must fall below a specific threshold of income that includes salaries, wages, and pension. If there are any other types of income then you should also mention them.
For a single person, the regular income should be less than R8,070 per month and R96,840 per year. As far as married people or couples are concerned the eligible income should be R16,140 per month and R193,680 per year.
Assets Threshold
For the applicant, the asset threshold level is also optimal. For instance, a single person should not have their own assets that are worth more than R1,227,600. For married couples, these assets must not exceed R2,455,200.
All these assets can include savings property, investments, and any other significant variables. It mostly does not involve the house you live in and some personal belongings.
Exemptions and Considerations
Some types of assets are exempt from the government for the mean test. These assets include clothing, furniture, and primary residence. It is also important to declare all forms of assets and other savings in order to secure your funds.
What are the Payment Methods And Schedules for Disability Grant
The SASSA has provided many options for retired and needy people to receive these grants. The disabled person can conveniently receive cash or direct deposit. The caretaker of the disabled person can also collect the funds on his behalf.
Direct Bank Deposits
The easiest method is to securely deposit the funds into the bank account. The people need to give personal bank account details. In this way, you do not need to go to a physical location to collect money.
SASSA Card
SASSA is distributing debit cards. Each month they send the money in these cards that are operational on the ATMs. So beneficiaries can revise the payment from the point of sale or other places as well.
Cash Payments at Pay Points
The SASSA delivers the payment via authorized organizations. These are actual community centers, local facilities, and schools.
Payment Schedule
This payment comes on the third of every month. In case there is a public holiday or weekend then you can collect it on the next working day. The department decides the dates for each month and informs the candidates if there are any changes.
You need to maintain the bank account details and other fragments in order to receive timely payments. It is also important to safeguard yourself from unauthorized sources that can access these funds.
What to Do if the Application for Disability Grant is Declined?
It is important to provide all the essential details while submitting an application for disability grant to the SASSA. The process can be stopped or the application can be rejected at any stage. In case of denial, the applicants can consider the following steps.
Request a Reconsideration
You can make a reconsideration request to the SASSA within 90 days of receiving a declining notice. Read all the details in the notice and confirm the actual reasons for denial.
If you think that you can challenge this reason and it was a mistake from the department then submit the application. You can add the additional documents as proof or justification for defending the denial.
Appeal Process
The appeal process is the last choice for any applicant. This appeal is made before the Ministry of Social Development. If the reconsideration or all the other processes are failed then you can move to this process.
The Department of Social Organization will consider the appeal and consider all the issues. They can call you in person and ask for any other documentation. So get prepared and if the department approves the grant then it will be started by the SASSA.
What are the reasons behind the Suspension and lapsing of disability grants?
The reasons behind the suspension of disability grants depend on various factors. There are some basic rules that are set by the government that we are going to elaborate on in this section.
Reasons of suspension
- If the outcome of the decision is pending for the review.
- No cooperation by the beneficiary when a review is going on.
- If someone has committed fraud then there is a zero-tolerance policy.
- If the grant of an individual is approved mistakenly.
- The financial position of a person has changed.
Lapsing Reasons
- The disabled person is no longer living in South Africa.
- The time period is completed which is six months for a temporary grant.
- Beneficiary is dead due to any reason.
- If a person is unable to claim the grant for three consecutive months.
- You are no longer a refugee.
- A state-owned institution is taking care of disabled persons.
- If you have more private income that passes the threshold of the government.
How To Check The Disability Grant Status And Balance?
When the application is approved then the beneficiaries will start receiving the aid form on the same date. It is necessary to confirm the date of payments and other details about the grants. You can perform these tasks in different ways that we are going to discuss.
- You can check the status of the disabled grants from the official website of the SASSA. Enter your ID card number or Application ID to confirm the details.
- Check the status via the online app that is available on the Google Play Store.
- The phone number to check the status via WhatsApp and SMS is 082-046-8553. You can send the message on this WhatsApp number or simply write your ID card number and send an SMS on the same number.
- To confirm further details the individuals can call on the toll-free number of SASSA which is 0800-601011.
- To confirm the remaining balance of payments the users can send a message to 1203210# from their mobile phone.
It is important to check the online status of the current application. The details of the payment dates and other information are also available on all these sources that we have mentioned earlier in this section.
Conclusion
The Disability Grant is another benefit of the SASSA that helps people who can not do work or a job. The individuals must be older than 18 years and citizens of South Africa. They can apply for this aid with the help of a family member as well. The department will confirm the details during a review process such as the medical report. For the temporary disability, the payment period is six months. You can extend this grant after the completion of this duration. Moreover, with a permanent disability, you can take this grant for a longer period of time without any interruption.
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